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Judith Sterling

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Judith Sterling

Tag Archives: fantasy romance

SOUL OF THE WOLF on Booksprout

26 Friday Mar 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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Booksprout, fantasy romance, free eBook, historical romance, Judith Sterling, medieval romance, paranormal romance, read and review, Soul of the Wolf, The Novels of Ravenwood

Just a quick note to let you know that Soul of the Wolf is available to read and review on Booksprout for a limited time. Check it out here!

Wishing you a beautiful day and a great weekend ahead!  🙂

Medieval Monday ~ THE LAST DRAGON

01 Monday Mar 2021

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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#MedMonSpring21, Daryl Devoré, excerpt, fantasy romance, Judith Sterling, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Medieval Romance Lovers, The Last Dragon

Welcome back to Medieval Monday! Our “First Kiss” theme continues, and this week, I’m featuring Daryl Devoré’s The Last Dragon. Such a cool cover!

If you’re following my excerpt from Return of the Raven, you can find Snippet #4 on Daryl’s blog. Remember, you’ll find links to all the participating authors’ snippets at Medieval Romance Lovers on Facebook. (#MedMonSpring21)

Now, let’s enjoy Daryl’s fourth snippet:

“Do ye…” Derry’s words stuck in her throat. What if her powers scared Hawkyns? No. He did not scare easily. He fought and slayed dragons. But, what if her powers caused a question within him? No. He showed no sign of that. She’d healed him. He said he enjoyed being with her. He spoke true words.

Stop being a foolish one.

Hawkyns pulled his horse to a stop. “Do I what?”

She lowered her eyes and refused to meet his gaze. The gaze that already gave her the answer to her unasked question. And still she was too afraid to ask. Doubt clouded her senses.

See last week’s snippet on Sherry Ewin’s blog – https://www.sherryewing.com/blog

Follow along next week on Jenna Jaxon’s blog – https://jennajaxon.wordpress.com/

More about The Last Dragon:

What do dragons, knights and romance have in common? Grab a copy of multi-published author Daryl Devore’s medieval fantasy romance – The Last Dragon and discover the answer.

A sorcerer craving dominance merged with a dragon, the power overwhelmed him causing him to split into three dragons. Demora ruled thought, but was lost in time. Yidithe offered protection, shining like the light of the sun. Ayrradex craved chaos, revelling in destroying souls.

Many knights died, attempting to slay the devil beast. One knight, Prince Hawkyns, did not fear death. He’d lost everything. Away on a mission when Ayrradex attacked his father’s kingdom, Penrythe, Hawkyns returned to find his noble father – feeble and defeated. His wise mother – crazed. His beautiful wife and unborn child – dead. Only a pile of ashes remained for him to bury. He knelt before his King and vowed to slay the devil-beast or be slain.

Derry was born with powers that terrified her parents. They delivered her to a nunnery to be raised in secret. Jathe, a wise sorceress, discovered the young girl and trained her to one day use the secret hidden in her soul.

Legends spoken around campfires hinted the sole way to destroy Ayrradex was when the hearts of a knight and a golden dragon became one. But after a vicious battle with Ayrradex, the golden dragon was thought to be dead.

Can Prince Hawkyns’s bravery and Derry’s powers end the reign of the devil-beast’s terror?

Buy the book:

Amazon ebook | Amazon print | Books2read ebook | Books2read print

That’s all for this week. See you next Monday!  🙂

N. N. Light’s Holiday Gift Guide ~ NIGHT OF THE OWL

27 Friday Nov 2020

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#holidaygiftguide, fantasy romance, holiday gifts, Judith Sterling, medieval romance series, N. N. Light's Book Heaven, Night of the Owl, Return of the Raven, The Novels of Ravenwood, time travel romance

Happy Friday! My time travel romance, Night of the Owl–the fourth of The Novels of Ravenwood–is one of the titles featured in the Fantasy Romance category of N. N. Light’s Holiday Gift Guide today. Check it out here!

In related news, I’ll soon have eyes on the final galley of Return of the Raven, the fifth and final book in the series. It won’t be long until I can share the cover, blurb, and release date with you!

Wishing you a wonderful day and weekend ahead!  🙂

An Interview with Jeny Heckman, author of THE WARRIOR’S PROGENY

30 Thursday Jul 2020

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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fantasy romance, Greek mythology, Heaven and Earth, Jeny Heckman, Judith Sterling, paranormal romance, The Catch, The Warrior's Progeny, The Wild Rose Press

I’m excited to feature another sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press) today.  Please welcome Jeny Heckman, author of The Warrior’s Progeny.  I have lots of questions, so let’s get to it!

At what age did you write your first story?

I was a very busy thirty-six-year old mom of two, and I wrote it just to see if I could.

Which genre was the first to hook you?

Historical – Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I was eight.

What was your first published book?

It’s called The Catch. I just wanted to see if I could write a book, and my favorite show at the time was Deadliest Catch. The book is about Faith, a woman crab fisherman, which is not only unusual but superstitiously unlucky. So, I wanted to write her story.

Sounds interesting!  What’s your favorite part of the writing process?

Great question, Judith! Really, it’s the writing. I love sitting down with a white screen and no interruptions, and creating a story until my arms and fingers literally want to fall off. There’s nothing better. So often it’s all the other things that get in the way.

What are you working on now?

In fact, I’m beginning the edits with my publisher on a spin off novella from the Heaven & Earth series, entitled Dee’s Cornucopia. The fans voted overwhelmingly to know her story. Between releasing and promoting The Warrior’s Progeny and those edits, I’m re-working The Catch to get it just perfect and then re-release it as well. In all, I hope to have four books out this year and I’m down to two!

Whoa!  That’s a lot of books for one year.  Of all the settings you’ve used (or created!) for your books, which is your favorite?

Oh, it’s got to be Kauai, Hawaii. I even had to go there to do “research” for The Sea Archer, book one of the series. I fell in love with the Garden Island and the Hawaiian Monk Seals!

Cool!  Have you ever dreamed about a character you created?

Ha ha, all of them! They bug me all the time, and yes, even in my sleep!

If you could have a conversation with anyone—dead or alive—who would it be?

Seriously, it would be my father-in-law, Chuck Heckman. I wrote The Catch while he was in the last stages of his cancer, and as he passed. He was an incredibly warm and loving man, who had no judgement. I would give anything to sit down and talk with him again.

I truly wish I could grant you that wish.  How about another?  If you could travel to any time and place, when and where would that be?

Well, both of my kids are now grown. I’d either go back, just to do it all again or go back to the times when our country was first being formed and all that history was being made.

Great choices!  If you could step inside any book or series and live there for a week, which would you choose?

It’s got to be Outlander, right? I am in love with Scotland and always have been, the greatest trip of my life was going there and staying a month. Seeing the history of that land and the lasting structures is really nothing short of amazing.

I studied Scottish history at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and LOVED living there, so I’m with you!  If a fairy godmother appeared and offered you one thing—anything at all—what would you request?

Okay, I’m going to be really awful and boring here but say a new body, especially feet and knees! Very unsexy, I know but there it is!

A new body…not a bad idea!  Now, it’s time to learn some of your favorites!

Sound: My kid’s laughter

Eye color: Green

Foreign language (whether or not you speak it!): Gaelic

Song: I love powerful songs with huge meaning like Hurt (Johnny Cash), or show theme songs like Woke up this Morning (Sopranos) or Outlander’s original theme song (I know I’m weird). Then it’s country.

Book: Outlander

Movie: Pride and Prejudice and The Full Monty

TV show: So many! Game of Thrones, Soprano’s, 30 for 30’s

Cuisine: Italian

Cookie: Chocolate chip

US location: U.S. Virgin Islands

Foreign location: Scottish Highlands

And finally, list your preference from the following choices:

Tea or coffee? Triple Grande Nonfat Caramel Macchiato

Cake or pie? Lemon Meringue Pie

Halloween or Christmas? CHRISTMAS!!!!

Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes? Nancy Drew

Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters? Jane Austen

A mortal, vampire, ghost, or fae for a lover? Mortal

English gent, Scottish highlander, European count, or all-American guy? Scottish Highlander

I’d like to truly thank Judith and all her readers for having me on today. I’m truly thankful for your time! Cheers!

It’s been a pleasure having you here, Jeny.  I wish you all the best with your new release!  And now, a little more about The Warrior’s Progeny:

Colton Stone is a newly traded tight end whose reputation is as battered as his football helmet. When he receives a vacation invitation from his new teammates, he accepts. There he collides with Dr. Lillian Morgan, a pediatric cardiovascular surgeon, and doesn’t know what to think.

A widow with two children, Lilly is looking forward to her friends’ wedding. When she meets Colton Stone, his arrogant attitude only makes her long for the love she took for granted. Lilly struggles between letting go of her perfect past for an uncertain future.

Strange events occur, out of the realm of normal consciousness. When black energy touches their world Colt and Lilly become the pawns of the immortal Greek gods. Is the love developing between them natural, or part of a larger prophecy?

A peek between the pages:

“You couldn’t have known,” Colt said.

“I’m a doctor,” she retorted. “I’m trained to know.”

“Oh, bullshit.” She drew her brows together and looked at him with irritation. Undaunted, he continued. “You were his wife, not his doctor.” Glancing back at the picture, he drank from his glass. “He was a young guy…looked fit…father of two.” Colt turned to look at her again. “Young, fit, fathers of two don’t get stage four pancreatic cancer and die in ten months. He wasn’t your patient, Lillian, and you weren’t looking at him like a patient. He was your husband, and he died.”

“Colt.” She took a breath, placed a hand on his, and backed up a little. “Look, I know you want something, but we’re broken here, and I can’t give you what you…”

“Bullshit.”

“It’s not bullshit. It’s how I feel. I’ve got kids to think about and responsibilities. You want easy and I’m not that.”

“You don’t even know me, Lilly.”

“I know. That’s what I’ve been trying to say.”

“No, that’s what you’re trying to use as an excuse. Those kids aren’t damaged because of their dad, you are. Those kids have a mom who loves them and makes damn sure they aren’t damaged. You’re afraid to try, so you hide behind your dead husband.”

“How dare you be so callous?”

“How dare you use your husband to get out of trying again? You’re a beautiful, intelligent woman and your life isn’t over.”

Buy the book:

Amazon Kindle | Nook | iBooks

More about Jeny:

Award-winning author, Jeny Heckman, was born in Bellingham, Washington, and was the youngest of two daughters. She met her husband, Jeff, in August 1992, and eloped three months later, at Magen’s Bay, on St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

She wrote her first book, the Catch, in a few short months but took several years before she gained the courage to self-publish it at her son’s urging, and her love for writing began.

In 2018, Jeny knew her next project would be a series that showed adults could have adventures in the paranormal-fantasy genre too. So, she created the Heaven & Earth series, a story of doomed Greek gods and their only salvation, their modern-day descendants. Her first book of the series, the Sea Archer, was immediately picked up by the New York publishing house, the Wild Rose Press, and won, “Best in Category” from the 2018 Chanticleer International Book Awards.

In the year 2020, Jeny released, Dancing Through Tears, a short story from the anthology, Australia Burns: Volume Two, highlighting the Route 91 massacre from the perspective of one family at the concert, and at Mandalay Bay. She also intends to release, the Warrior’s Progeny, and Dee’s Cornucopia, in 2020, continuing the Heaven & Earth Series.

Jeny lives in Washington State with her husband of over twenty-eight years.

Where to find her:

Website: https://jenyheckman.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heckman.jeny

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenyheckman

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenyheckman

Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/jenyheckman17

GoodReads: https://bit.ly/3fd8RJA

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jeny-heckman

YouTube: https://bit.ly/30vNfUI

Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/dDTPI9

An Interview with Sydney Winward, author of BLOODBOND

29 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Author Interview, Bloodbond, Bloodborn, fantasy romance, Judith Sterling, Sydney Winward, The Bloodborn Series, The Wild Rose Press, vampire fiction

I’m thrilled to welcome back Sydney Winward, a sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press) whose upcoming release, Bloodbond, is sure to send shivers of delight down your spine.  I’m going to pepper her with questions, so we’d best get started!

Good morning, Sydney!  At what age did you write your first story?

I was twelve years old when I had a really epic dream. I decided I wanted to write it down, but one page turned into two, two into three, and soon it was a fully fledged novel, all written by hand. The pencil made a permanent dent in my finger! But that’s when I realized how much I loved to write and that I wanted to continue doing it. Prophecy of the Eight was NOT good haha! But it opened my eyes to a passion I didn’t know I had.

I understand that passion completely!  I know you’re an avid reader.  Which genre was the first to hook you?

Definitely fantasy. I loved reading about dragons, princesses, and magic. I soon discovered paranormal, and later historical fiction. But fantasy will always have my heart.

It’s a great genre!  What was your first published book?

Bloodborn, a paranormal romance. I knew everyone was sick of the whole vampire scene. The whole genre was bled dry. But what if I could write something different? A bit of my own vampire mythology with magic weaved in, mixed with classic vampire lore? Don’t worry! There are no sparkly vampires in my story. More like if they step into the sunlight, they will die a very horrible, very painful death.

What’s your favorite part of the writing process? Brainstorming?  Research?  Outlining?  Writing?  Editing?

I love them all (and hate them all) for different reasons, but my favorite part of the writing process has to be brainstorming. I love coming up with new characters. I love trying to figure out how the hero and heroine fit together, and what their past looks like. This part is the most exciting, which helps fuel me as I begin to write the story.

I love brainstorming too!  Tell me, what are you working on now?

I recently started a new series. Historical fiction with a small bit of fantasy weaved in. The first book, A Waltz with Lord Death, is a story about the Grim Reaper and the sudden mess he finds himself in when Lord Life dies. Without his other half, so to speak, to balance his power, the balance of the world shifts and everything and everyone starts to die. But when he meets Meira, a potential candidate for the new Lady Life, he has to convince her to take the job before it’s too late. However, he never expected to fall in love.

I’m currently writing the second in the series, Lord Time’s Keeper. Lord Time is being hunted by someone who actually has the power to kill him and take away his immortality. But when he loses his pocket watch, the one thing keeping his powers balanced, crap hits the fan. He takes refuge on a ship bound for America, where he meets a widow and her son. He has to choose between following his heart and forsaking the ones he loves to keep them safe from the man hunting him.

Sounds like a wonderful series!  Of all the settings you’ve used (or created!) for your books, which is your favorite? Why?

My favorite setting is definitely the vampire city of Ichor Knell. Dark clouds swirl around an even darker castle, keeping vampires safe from sunlight exposure. The castle is a city within a city, which is filled with jewel trees. Instead of leaves, they’re covered in emeralds, sapphires, and more.

How cool!  I’ve always preferred clouds to sunshine–the darker, the better–a fact which made growing up in Florida problematic.  Your vampire city sounds like a paradise, with lots of interesting characters.  Have you ever dreamed about a character you created?

Oh, I wish! Wouldn’t that be awesome?

It certainly would!  If you could have a conversation with anyone—dead or alive—who would it be?

I’m going to go into a fictional world for this one. I absolutely love Merlin from the Merlin TV show. He’s such an interesting character, and it would be so fun to get to know him better. Maybe he could even show me a spell or two. If we’re not caught and hanged by Uther Pendragon, that is.

Great choice!  If you could travel to any time and place, when and where would that be?

Late 1800s America. There’s just something about a hard-working farmer/rancher that is so sexy! The land of opportunity. It would be interesting to see how people lived life back then.

Yes!  If you could step inside any book or series and live there for a week, which would you choose?

Oh, that’s a hard one. I would have to go with A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. I love the world it takes place in and the magic. Throw in a bit of Rhysand and I wouldn’t want to leave after the week was over.

If a fairy godmother appeared and offered you one thing—anything at all—what would you request?

To live in a fantasy world filled with magic. Was I the only one who grew up desperately wishing magic was real?

I’ve always believed in magic, so you’re not alone.  Now, it’s time to learn some of your favorites!

Sound: Thunder

Eye color: dark brown (yum! ;))

Foreign language (whether or not you speak it!): Italian

Song: I can never choose just one. I have a lot of favorites. Here’s one I really like that’s a cover of Eagle-Eye Cherry: “Save Tonight” by Tom Speight and Lydia Clowes

Book: The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

Movie: Stardust or Megamind or Mission Impossible: Fallout

TV show: Merlin

Cuisine: Mexican

Cookie: M&M

US location: Ketchikan, Alaska

Foreign location: Never been out of the states! But I would love to visit Ireland, Switzerland, and Austria.

And finally, list your preference from the following choices:

Tea or coffee? Hot chocolate 😉

Cake or pie? Cake

Halloween or Christmas? Halloween

Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes? Sherlock Holmes

Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters? Jane Austen

A mortal, vampire, ghost, or fae for a lover? Sooo hard to choose! Probably fae.

English gent, Scottish highlander, European count, or all-American guy? English gent

Thanks so much for joining me, Sydney.  I wish you great success with Bloodbond.  Speaking of which, here’s the scoop on the story:

Zachariah Degore spent ten years locked under ground as a feral vampire. Now he has to redefine what it means to be healthy and whole. With his human life behind him, he starts anew in the vampire city of Ichor Knell with the vampire shah as his kin. He must prove he is worthy of his place in this new world.

Laurel Covaci is vampire elite, she would never court a feral vampire. After two hundred years she has yet to find a mate who meets with her satisfaction. She hides the pain of past hurt and abandonment behind a cold façade. Zach is confident that Laurel is the vampire for him, but can he break through her icy walls and convince her he’s the mate she’s been waiting for?

A peek between the pages:

She stared at him. And stared. Until it became uncomfortable. 

So he stood and started to pack up his things, but she glared at him and pointed to his seat. 

“Sit.” He did. Who could disobey a tone like that? “You can’t kill?” she asked incredulously. “You only recently came out of being feral, correct?” He nodded. “And you can’t kill? Human blood doesn’t send you into a rage. You refused to drink from the goblet at the service.” 

“Have you been spying on me?” 

She ignored his comment, and her mouth puckered slightly as if in deep concentration. He couldn’t help but stare. He’d never seen her do it before. Another endearing quality he added to the lengthy list of what made Laurel Covaci absolutely perfect. 

“I have searched high and low, but I simply cannot find any answers to this particular conundrum,” she finally said. Heat rose to his ears. She’d been thinking about him? 

He grinned. “Well, well, Lady Covaci. I didn’t realize I was filling up your thoughts.” 

She blushed prettily, and he almost expected her to get up from the table and leave, regretting she even sat down in the first place. But she stayed put. In fact, she stared right back as if challenging him. He enjoyed the eye contact. Her eyes were so blue. So beautiful. They took him back to green fields of his childhood, of staring back at the blue sky as clouds lazily drifted past. 

Watch the book trailer!

 

Buy Bloodbond:

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble

A little more about Sydney:

Sydney Winward was born with an artistic brain and a love of discovery for new talents. From drawing to sewing to music, she has loved to explore every opportunity that comes her way. At a young age, Sydney discovered her love of writing, and she hasn’t been able to stop writing since. Her active imagination and artistic mind take her away to different worlds and time periods, making every new story a fantastic adventure. When she is not writing (or fawning over animals in the neighborhood) she spends time with her husband and children at home in Utah.

Where to find her:

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon Author Page ~ Instagram

TO WEAVE A HIGHLAND TAPESTRY by Mary Morgan

12 Thursday Dec 2019

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

award winning author, Celtic paranormal, excerpt, fantasy romance, guest post, Judith Sterling, Legend of the Yew Tree, Mary Morgan, new release, Order of the Dragon Knights, Scotland, The Wild Rose Press, To Weave a Highland Tapestry

My dear friend and sister Rose (published by The Wild Rose Press) Mary Morgan is here today!  We’re celebrating her new release, To Weave a Highland Tapestry, and she’s written a wonderful guest post about the legend of the yew tree.  Let’s read on…

In To Weave a Highland Tapestry, I considered it time to give the hero, Patrick MacFhearguis his own “happy ever after.” He’s been a huge secondary character since my first book and series, Dragon Knight’s Sword, Order of the Dragon Knights. I sensed he was brooding at his home in Scotland. What he needed was a wife and a purpose. In truth, he has been a favorite of mine since he stepped into the first story. I made his castle, Leòmhann, as the center of this love story, along with an ancient yew tree.

Allow me to take you back in time to ancient Scotland…

When the ancient MacFhearguis clan settled near the Great Glen in Scotland, the Chieftain wished to bless the land, and his castle known as Leòmhann—the lion. Druids came from far away, bestowing their approval over stone, land, and people. Afterwards, they took part in a grand feast. Drink and food overflowed in the Great Hall. The bards recounted the great tales. Minstrels played songs of past triumphs, and the dancing and feasting lasted for countless days.

However, another tale lay buried within the stone walls of Leòmhann and only those brave enough could relate the true account.

It was whispered there were those in the clan—weavers from an ancient order from the west—not happy with the Chieftain’s refusal to offer a gift to the Fae who had graced his land before him. He deemed their request foolish and banished these irritating women to the forest.

Saddened by this act from their Chieftain, the women grew concerned the Fae would not give their own blessing over this new land, leaving their people without a compassionate and wise leader. Regardless of his order to silence them, they sought another path to right this injustice.

Gathering around a bonfire on a moonlit Samhain eve, each woman brought with them one long golden thread from their looms. On a whispered prayer, they knotted them all together. Traveling deep into the forest far away from Leòmhann, they came upon a young yew tree. As they swayed softly, the women wrapped the knotted threads around the tree. After they were finished, they joined hands and sang out as one.

“Seasons will ebb and flow—battles shall be fought.

The loom of the land shall not see rebirth.

From left to right, the strands of time will knot and break.

Only when a weaver threads the true color on a winter full moon night, shall the land, stone, and clan be cleansed.”

Smiling, they embraced each other, deeming their prayer had been received by the Fae. As the leaves rustled beneath their feet, none of them ever fathomed that the true master weaver to claim the heart of a MacFhearguis would not appear for over eight hundred years.

And as the centuries passed, the legend of the Yew tree became more of a curse, and the land around Leòmhann suffered.

A little more about To Weave a Highland Tapestry:

Patrick MacFhearguis, hardened by battles won and lost, desires what he can never have—peace within his heart and soul.  Yet, the ever-meddling Fae weave a new journey for him to conquer—a task this highlander is determined to resist.

When skilled weaver, Gwen Hywel, is commissioned to create a tapestry for the MacFhearguis clan, she embraces the assignment. While seeking out ideas, she finds herself clutching the one thread that can alter the tapestry of her life and heart.

A man conflicted by past deeds. A woman with no family of her own. Is it possible for love to unravel an ancient past, in order to claim two badly scarred hearts? Or will the light of hope be doused forever?

A peek between the pages:

His kiss was urgent, demanding. Patrick thrust his tongue into her soft heat. The air swirled in a tempest of passion as the kiss deepened. No longer caring if anyone came upon them, Patrick continued to feast on her mouth.

“How many kissing boughs have our wives placed in this castle?” asked Stephen.

“In every nook, stone, and chamber. I would not be surprised to find one in the stables or lists,” replied Duncan.

Stephen laughed. “By the hounds, I do love Midwinter.”

Gwen stiffened against Patrick. Placing a finger over her mouth, he waited for the conversation to fade before relaxing his stance and stepping back. Glancing over his shoulder, he watched as the men made their way into the feasting hall. Returning his attention to Gwen, he pulled her out of the alcove.

Her cheeks were stained a becoming pink, and full lips begged to be kissed again. Patrick raked a hand through his hair, doing his best to refrain from backing her inside the hidden enclosure again.

She giggled and stole a glance upward within the alcove. “Yes. We can blame it on the kissing boughs.”

He laughed nervously. “This is a first.”

“Are you confessing you’ve never kissed another under these boughs?”

Reaching for her hand, he caressed her fingers. “Never. Leòmhann has seen many a Midwinter feast, but no one dared to place these kissing boughs within the castle.”

She tilted her head to the side. Her joyful expression faded. “May I ask why?”

Once again, Patrick was reminded of the curse which surrounded his home. He looked down at her tiny hand. What could he offer Gwen? Why did he continue to pursue her without the promise of tomorrow? Should he confess all to her now?

She squeezed his hand. “If it’s too painful to talk about, I’ll understand. Let us enjoy this evening and not dwell on unhappy thoughts.”

Her words brought comfort to Patrick’s tortured spirit. Giving her a weak smile, he brought her hand into the crook of his arm. “Ye are correct. Let us welcome the light of Midwinter tonight.”

Patrick’s steps slowed as he guided them into the hall. The atmosphere was one of cheerfulness, laughter, and music. Greenery adorned the entire room—from wooden beams to tables. Children scurried past them in glee, and his heart leaped at the sight.

“My goodness. It’s beautiful,” observed Gwen, leaning against him. “And look, they’ve brought Meggie’s tapestry back inside the hall. The MacKays surely know how to celebrate.”

Within that moment, Patrick made a silent vow that one day he would see the same light enter his home. His heart soared at the possibility. With ye by my side, Gwen, I shall give ye this beauty.

Where to buy the book:

Amazon | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | B & N | Apple Books

More about Mary:

Award-winning Celtic paranormal and fantasy romance author, Mary Morgan, resides in Northern California with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.

Mary’s passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. Inspired by her love for history and ancient Celtic mythology, her tales are filled with powerful warriors, brave women, magic, and romance. It wasn’t until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling by writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.

If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of magic, then time-travel within the pages of her books.

Where to find her:

WEBSITE/BLOG:  https://www.marymorganauthor.com/

TWITTER:  http://twitter.com/m_morganauthor

FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/MaryMorganAuthor/      

GOODREADS:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8271002.Mary_Morgan

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:  http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Morgan/e/B00KPE3NWI/

PINTEREST:  www.pinterest.com/marymorgan50/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/marymorgan2/

BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-morgan

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-morgan-2634a77a/

AUDIBLE AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.audible.com/author/Mary-Morgan/B00KPE3NWI

Best of luck with the book, Mary!  🙂

Mary Morgan’s New Release: TRIAL OF A WARRIOR

11 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by Judith Sterling in Uncategorized

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award winning author, Celtic Mythology, fantasy romance, Guardians of Erin, Ireland, Judith Sterling, Legends of the Fenian Warriors, Mary Morgan, new release, Order of the Dragon Knights, paranormal series, The Cauldron Stirred, The Stone Awakened, Trial of a Warrior, Tuatha De Danann


My dear friend, Mary Morgan, is here to celebrate tomorrow’s release of Trial of a Warrior, the third book in her Legends of the Fenian Warriors series. Yay! More Celtic mythology! You know about my Guardians of Erin series and the upcoming release of The Stone Awakened (Book 2). My love for Ireland runs deep, and Mary is definitely a kindred spirit in that respect! Let’s see what she has to say about her new release.

What inspired you to write this book/series?

Initially, you meet these warriors in my first series, Order of the Dragon Knights. I knew one day I would have to write each of their stories.

I have always been fascinated with Celtic mythology, so it only made sense that I would develop and expand the world of the Fenian Fae Warriors. Theirs was a world rich in legends, colors, and senses. I’ve based my own fictional account on the legend of the Tuatha Dé Danann—one of the invasions of Ireland. They were known as the Shining Ones or the Fae.

With my warriors, there is nothing diminutive with these heroes. They’re ancient, extremely tall, and commanding. As always, it will take a strong woman to stand beside these ancient Fae.

Absolutely! The Tuatha Dé Danann fascinate me too, which is why I’ve woven them into my young adult series. Dreams–or what appear to be dreams–play an important role in that saga, especially in the first book, The Cauldron Stirred. Speaking of dreams, have you encountered any of your characters in one? Yes, all of them! They’re usually speaking all at once, arguing over a specific plot. I never interfere, but tend to sit back and try to absorb the messages.

Awesome! If you could give your hero a word of advice, what would it be? To always maintain his humor.

Any advice for your heroine? Try to curb the stubbornness.

In general, which do you enjoy writing more: description or dialogue? Both. I love the ebb and flow of describing a scene and then adding dialogue.

So do I. What do you love most about being an author? The freedom to create stories. There’s always a tale to be told within my mind.

I’m right there with you, Mary! Thanks so much for joining me today. I’m positive the new book will be a great success.

A little more about Trial of a Warrior:

“You met them in the Order of the Dragon Knights. Now, journey to the realm of the Fae and witness their legends!”

A warrior sentenced to die.

On trial for breaking a supreme Fae law, Fenian Warrior, Liam MacGregor has no regrets. He is prepared to accept his sentence—even if it means his death. However, freedom comes in an unexpected manner, and brings with it certain dangers as he travels through the Veil of Ages.

A princess honor-bound to remain hidden.

Princess Abela might be a priestess and the daughter of royalty, but that doesn’t prevent her from doing the unimaginable. She sacrifices duty and honor to set free the man who captured her heart so many years ago. No matter the severity of his crimes, she cannot let Liam die.

A rescue that will bring about a war and divide a kingdom!

In their quest to secure a treaty to forestall Liam’s death sentence, they must fight their desires for one another, as well as the Fenian Warriors sent to capture them.

A peek inside the pages:

Taking the end of her braid, Liam wove the soft hair around his finger. Black as ebony, the lock glistened in the soft glow of the fire. She’d tempted him beyond reason. Once, he thought there might have been a destiny, but her words of rejection slammed the door on any possibility. If she had no desire to claim him, why did Abela come to his initiation?

“Why witness my ceremony?” He let out a frustrated breath and brought the braid to his lips.

“Because I never said goodbye,” she uttered softly. Lifting her head, her eyes sought his and her cheeks colored from the heat of his gaze.

Liam was unable to look away from her beauty. “No. I recall harsh words and tears.”

“We were young—naïve.”

“Stubborn and set on a path of adventure,” he added.

“But our roads have led us to this fork, so to speak.”

Liam cupped her chin. “Was it destined?” He felt her tremble from his touch.

“I am not a seer,” she replied, darting her tongue out along her bottom lip.

His mind screamed at him to move away. She was a princess—a priestess. But the temptation to taste her lips once more seeped into his being. Liam bent his head and placed a feather-like kiss on the corner of her mouth.

A small breathless whisper escaped her lips, “More.”

Her invitation sparked a desire that had remained sealed. Cupping the back of her head, he continued to kiss her tenderly on the eyes, nose, and forehead. As he shifted his position, Liam brought his arms around her and dared to feast on something that was forbidden. If death was his future, he wanted one more kiss to take with him.

Buy the book:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JGMH8XS/

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trial-of-a-warrior-mary-morgan/1129784209?ean=2940161545003

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/trial-of-a-warrior/id1441254175?mt=11

The Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/6349-trial-of-a-warrior.html

More about Mary:

Award-winning Celtic paranormal and fantasy romance author, Mary Morgan, resides in Northern California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.

Mary’s passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. Inspired by her love for history and ancient Celtic mythology, her tales are filled with powerful warriors, brave women, magic, and romance. It wasn’t until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling by writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.

If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of magic, then time-travel within the pages of her books.

Where to find her:

WEBSITE: http://www.marymorganauthor.com
BLOG: http://www.marymorganauthor.com/blog
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/m_morganauthor
FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/MaryMorganAuthor/

GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8271002.Mary_Morgan
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Morgan/e/B00KPE3NWI/
PINTEREST: www.pinterest.com/marymorgan50/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/marymorgan2/
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-morgan

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